|
| Problems of The Foot
and Ankle After Calcaneus Fracture |
Following
a fracture of the calcaneus, there are many potential problems
which can occur. To some extent, this depends on the type
of treatment provided. The problems which occur commonly are
as follows: |
| 1. |
Pain
in the back of the heel on the outside of the ankle. This
is present in the heel joint (the subtalar joint), and is
usually because of arthritis in this joint. |
| 2. |
Stiffness in the
subtalar joint. Regardless of the type of treatment, there
is always some limitation of the in and out movement of the
foot. This is called inversion and eversion. The problem occurs
because of damage to the cartilage surface of joint, which
is often associated with arthritis. |
| 3. |
Widening of the back
of the heel and difficulty with wearing shoes. This problem
occurs predominantly when surgery is not performed initially,
and the heel remains wide and deformed. |
| 4. |
Pain on the outside
of the heel and the outside of the ankle occurs due to injury
to the tendons (the peroneal tendons). This is a more common
problem when surgery is not performed initially, and is because
of widening of the heel bone. The peroneal tendons can be
torn in the process. |
| 5. |
Pain under the pad
of the heel. This is unfortunately a permanent problem, since
the specialized fatty cushion under the heel can be permanently
damaged with injury. This can only be treated with correct
cushioning and padding of the heel. |
| 6. |
Burning pain on the
inside of the ankle. This can occur as a result of widening
of the inside of the heel on the inside of the ankle, which
causes irritation of the tibial nerve (called a tarsal tunnel
syndrome) . |
| 7. |
Pain in the ankle,
which occurs in severe forms of fracture which are not treated
with surgery. The heel bone is severely crushed, which leads
to jamming of the front of the ankle. |
| |
